Translation guide
Describes a gathering of many people in one place. Japanese has several common words that differ by nuance: general large numbers, bustling crowds, packed conditions, and overwhelming throngs.
A neutral description of many people gathered, without strong positive or negative nuance.
Most common and neutral word for 'many people'. Used as a noun or adverbially. Often used with 人 (ひと) as 大勢の人.
A large crowd of people had gathered in the park.
Traveling in a large group is fun.
Refers to a crowd as a mass, often in public spaces. Slightly more formal or written than 大勢. Can imply anonymity or a faceless crowd.
The area in front of the station was jammed with crowds of shoppers.
Specifically means a crowded place full of people, often with a sense of bustle or difficulty moving. Commonly used for busy streets, stations, events.
Walking through a large crowd is tiring.
I got overwhelmed by the festival crowd.
Emphasizes a very large crowd, often used in news or dramatic descriptions. Less common in daily conversation.
A huge crowd filled the square.
A crowd that is energetic, noisy, and full of activity, often at events or in entertainment districts.
Describes a lively, bustling atmosphere created by many people. Often used for streets, markets, festivals. Can be used as '賑わいを見せる' (show bustle).
The shopping street becomes bustling with large crowds on weekends.
Refers to the turnout or number of people out and about, especially for events, holidays, or nice weather. Often used in news: '人出が多い'.
A crowd so dense that movement is difficult, often in confined spaces like trains or venues.
Means 'full house' or 'packed to capacity'. Used for trains, elevators, venues. 満員電車 is a set phrase for a packed train.
The morning train packed with a large crowd is really tough.
General term for congestion or crowding, used for traffic, stations, stores. Often appears in announcements: '混雑が予想されます'.
Literally 'packed like sushi', vividly describes people squeezed tightly together. Colloquial and emphatic.
A massive, often chaotic crowd that feels overwhelming or dangerous, like a sea of people.
Literally 'wave of people', describes a surging, moving crowd. Often used for crowded events or rush hour.
I was pushed by the large crowd and couldn't move forward.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'a sea of people' or 'a huge throng', literally 'a black mountain of people'. Used for spectacles or accidents.
大勢 (おおぜい) simply means 'many people' and is neutral. 人混み (ひとごみ) focuses on the crowdedness of a place and often implies discomfort. 群衆 (ぐんしゅう) refers to the crowd as a collective entity, often in public settings, and can sound more formal or written.
English 'large crowd' can often be translated simply as 大勢の人 or 人が多い. Using 大きい群衆 is unnatural. Choose the word that matches the nuance: bustle, congestion, or sheer number.
During the holidays, there were large crowds at tourist spots.
駅の混雑を避けるために早めに出た。
I left early to avoid the large crowd at the station.
会場はすし詰め状態だった。
The venue was packed with a large crowd, like sardines.
A large crowd had gathered at the accident scene.